The expERIEnce Children’s Museum is located within the heart of the Erie downtown cultural and entertainment district and only a 5 minute walk away from the Lake Erie Bayfront. The museum is located within an historic building that was built in 1906 and that once operated as a stable livery. Large sliding doors and remnants of mechanical gears are still in place from the building’s past. The Children’s Museum opened its doors to the public over 20 years ago and has now expanded to include exhibits on all three floors.

Hours:

The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday 10:00am-5:00pm and Sunday 1:00pm-5:00pm. The museum is closed on Mondays unless noted otherwise on the calendar. Please note: The museum will be closing at1 pm on Saturday, August 1, 2020 to prepare for the annual Street Soiree Fundraiser.

Closed:

The museum will be closed on New Year’s Day, Easter Sunday, Memorial Day, Independence Day (July 4th), Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. We will close at 1pm on Saturday August 3, 2020.

Directions and Parking:

From I-90, take exit I-79 North. Travel North and follow signs to the Bayfront Highway. Travel the Bayfront Highway and turn right onto State Street. Turn left on East 4th Street. Turn right onto French Street. The Children’s Museum will be on the right side.

Metered parking is available on 4th Street, 5th Street, State Street and French Street. Meters take quarters or download the meterEZ mobile parking app. There is a parking ramp available on 2nd Street between State St. and French St. and located next to the Hospital.

On the weekends, Erie Insurance graciously allows us to use their parking lot directly across the street from the Museum.

Food and Drink:

A small family snack area, which seats up to 12 guests inside the museum is available for you to enjoy a lunch or snack you bring. Snacks and drinks are available for purchase from vending machines located in the snack room.Visitors are also welcome to enjoy a lunch or snack in the Outdoor Classroom.

Fees:

Admission is $8.00 per person for anyone ages 2 and older. Anyone under age 2 will receive free admission. expERIEnce Children’s Museum memberships are also available.

Available Discounts:

We offer a $1.50 off discount to senior citizens ages 62 and older.

Present your state EBT card at the admission desk and you’ll receive discounted admission for up to four people: $2 per person. You must show photo ID with your EBT card to receive the discount.

Blue Star Museum – We offer free admission to active duty military members and up to five family members. Please present military ID when checking in at the front desk. This program runs from May 18, 2019-September 2, 2019.

Reciprocal Admission:

To receive Association of Children’s Museums (ACM) Reciprocal Network benefits, you must present a current Membership Card from an ACM reciprocal institution with the ACM Reciprocal Network logo on the card and a valid photo ID. ACM reciprocity will grant 50% discount on admission fees for up to 6 people that are listed on your institution’s membership. Please visit the ACM website for a complete listing of participating museums.

Sensory Friendly:

Stop at our front desk on your next visit to the museum to check out one of our sensory friendly backpacks.

Sensory Friendly backpacks are made possible through a sponsorship by UPMC Health Plan.

Play Matters – A Campaign To Support The Power of Play In Our Community!

Support the Children’s Museum March 1- May 1 by making an additional $30 donation to the Museum through our Play Matters Membership Campaign.

As a way to say thank you for your additional donation, our friends at Scott Enterprises have added some fun! We want all families to PLAY TOGETHER!

Here’s what you get!

“Play Matters” Members will receive one $10 Splash Lagoon admission/member every Monday and Friday for six months! Valid March 3, 2017 through August 28, 2017 (Blackout dates April 14 & April 17)

10% off one 10 person Splash Lagoon Birthday Party per membership family must be booked by 6/30/17

One free hour of bowling at Hooch & Blotto’s per membership family expires 6/30/17

Up to $1,666 in savings!

How it works:

Play Matters membership offers begin 48 hours after membership is purchased, or renewed with the ExpERIEnce Children’s Museum

Please present your ExpERIEnce Children’s Museum membership card upon your first visit to Splash Lagoon. A Play Matters membership account will be created, and kept on file at Splash Lagoon for future visits.

The Play Matters discount will NOT BE available April 14, 2017, or April 17, 2017

All guests 3 and older need an admission wristband to enter the waterpark

Complimentary Coast Guard Approved life jackets are provided at the waterpark

Splash Lagoon Birthday Parties must be booked at least one week in advance by calling 814-217-1112. Birthday parties are based on availability.

Reservations are recommended for Hooch & Blotto’s Bowling. Please call 814-217-1140 to make a lane reservation.

Please call 814-217-1111 with additional questions about the waterpark, or visit us at splashlagoon.com

Play Matters Memberships must be purchased from the ExpERIEnce Children’s Museum website or at the museum. You must add the $30 PLAY MATTERS donation to any membership to receive the discounts.

Come out and play! support the children”s museum and have fun playing together.